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1972 retro: 26 pictures from the Black Country and Staffordshire to spark your memories

Britain’s coal miners were on strike, protests flared over the M54, and community spirit was alive and well in 1972.

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By Tania Taylor
Published

But there was plenty of entertainment on offer too, as Slade rocked Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall, Snoopy’s nightclub opened in Cannock, and Dudley Zoo welcomed two rare elephant seals. This picture archive has been shuffled for your enjoyment.

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In February, 1972, Britain's coalminers were on strike in a dispute over pay, leading to the Central Electricity Generating Board rationing electricity, with power cuts of up to nine hours a day. Arthur Craggs, a pensioner who lived in Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, likened the conditions to what it was like during The Blitz, as he made sure he would not be going without a ray of light or a cup of tea.
In February, 1972, Britain's coalminers were on strike in a dispute over pay, leading to the Central Electricity Generating Board rationing electricity, with power cuts of up to nine hours a day. Arthur Craggs, a pensioner who lived in Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, likened the conditions to what it was like during The Blitz, as he made sure he would not be going without a ray of light or a cup of tea.
The end of a shift at the Green Lane stainless steel tube operation, Walsall, in June 1972. The plant was threatened with closure by Tube Investments, threatening the jobs of 1,400 men and women, and the unions were already planning action.
The end of a shift at the Green Lane stainless steel tube operation, Walsall, in June 1972. The plant was threatened with closure by Tube Investments, threatening the jobs of 1,400 men and women, and the unions were already planning action.
February 1972. One of two rare elephant seals which arrived at Dudley Zoo from the Antarctic. They were brought to the zoo from the Falkland Islands by headkeeper Chris Round and keepers Graham Chilton and Alan Margerrison.
February 1972. One of two rare elephant seals which arrived at Dudley Zoo from the Antarctic. They were brought to the zoo from the Falkland Islands by headkeeper Chris Round and keepers Graham Chilton and Alan Margerrison.
March 6, 1972. The caption reads: 'A church organ was the subject of a special opening and rededication service at Wombourne during the weekend. Church organist, Mr Kenneth Hodson, is pictured playing for the first hymn at Saturday's service.'
March 6, 1972. The caption reads: 'A church organ was the subject of a special opening and rededication service at Wombourne during the weekend. Church organist, Mr Kenneth Hodson, is pictured playing for the first hymn at Saturday's service.'
The Kings Cinema, in Paradise Street, West Bromwich, in December 1972.
The Kings Cinema, in Paradise Street, West Bromwich, in December 1972.
Opening night at Snoopys night club in 1972.
Opening night at Snoopy's night club in Cannock, 1972.
Wado-Ryu Karate expert Ken Dicks (left) fighting Scottish number 1 Hamish Adams in 1972 in the All England Championship final.
Wado-Ryu Karate expert Ken Dicks (left) fighting Scottish number 1 Hamish Adams in 1972 in the All England Championship final.